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👓 Optometrist · BLS median $134,830

Optometrist Salary Calculator: Your Take-Home Pay

The median optometrist earns $134,830 a year (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, May 2024). Practice owners and those in high-demand or rural markets earn more. The calculator is pre-filled with the median; set your real pay, pick your state, and see your take-home.

● BLS median $134,830 ● State tax included ● 2026 federal data

👓 Optometrist take-home pay

Optometrist pay

What optometrists earn — and keep — in 2026

Optometry requires a Doctor of Optometry (OD) degree and offers strong, stable pay. The BLS reports a median optometrist wage of $134,830 (May 2024). Practice owners, partners and optometrists in underserved markets earn more — the top 10% exceed $200,000.

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Ownership and FICA caps matter: Optometrists who own a practice take income as salary plus profit and are taxed differently than employees. At this income, earnings above the $184,500 Social Security wage base are exempt from the 6.2% SS tax — applied automatically here.

Where an optometrist's paycheck goes

On the $134,830 median, a single optometrist pays federal income tax into the 24% bracket after the standard deduction, plus 6.2% Social Security (up to the $184,500 wage base) and 1.45% Medicare. Higher earners approaching $200,000 should watch for the 0.9% Additional Medicare Tax.

The highest-paying states for optometrists

Optometrists earn the most in states with strong demand and fewer practitioners — including North Carolina, Texas, California, New York and Washington. Texas and Washington pair strong pay with no state income tax.

Compare the role with other careers

See how optometrist pay compares with a dentist or pharmacist, or check your exact net in Texas.

Questions

Optometrist Salary Calculator FAQ

How much does an optometrist make in 2026?

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports a median annual wage of $134,830 for optometrists (May 2024). Practice owners, partners and optometrists in underserved markets earn more, and the top 10% exceed $200,000.

What is an optometrist's take-home pay on $134,830?

A single optometrist earning the $134,830 median takes home roughly $99,000 to $101,000 a year after federal income tax and FICA in a no-income-tax state, less where state tax applies. Practice owners' net depends on entity structure.

Do practice-owning optometrists pay different taxes?

Yes. Owners take income as a blend of salary and business profit, often via an S-corp, changing how self-employment and distribution taxes apply. This calculator models W-2 employee pay; owners should consult a tax professional.

Which states pay optometrists the most?

Optometrists earn the highest wages in high-demand states with fewer practitioners, including North Carolina, Texas, California, New York and Washington. No-income-tax states like Texas and Washington keep more of your salary.

Mustafa Bilgic
Reviewed & maintained by
Mustafa Bilgic — Editor, SalaryCalculator.us

Optometrist wage data is taken from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook; tax figures from the IRS and SSA.

  • Sources: BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook — Optometrists (median $134,830, May 2024) · IRS Rev. Proc. 2025-32 · SSA 2026 wage base · State departments of revenue.
  • 🔄 Last updated June 9, 2026 · Tax year 2026

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